Admission Process: Applying

Each ISSFBA school has their own application requirements, deadlines and procedures, but there are some elements that most schools have in common.

Application and Fee
Each ISSFBA school has their own application which can be obtained from the school. Most schools have application deadlines in January of the year of enrollment. It is important to read a school’s particular policy in order to meet these deadlines.

Most schools ask for an application processing fee; this fee may be reduced or waived for applicants requesting financial assistance. Depending on the grade level, some schools may accept applications beyond the due date. Please contact specific schools regarding their individual policies.

Student Evaluation Form
Application to an ISSFBA school requires a Confidential Student Evaluation Form to be filled out by your child’s current school. ISSFBA schools share this common form which enables teachers at sending schools to complete one form and email and/or mail it to multiple schools.This form is available from individual schools or you may download it here (Adobe Reader required):

Transcript
An official transcript (or its equivalent) is usually part of the application. Please consult individual schools for their requirements.

ISSFBA schools do not encourage formal expressions of first choice or letters of recommendation.

Parent Interviews and Student Visits
Most schools will meet with both parents and children at some point during the admission process. Parent interviews provide an opportunity to have a conversation with a member of the admission team to mutually discover if the school might be a good fit for your child and your family.

For preschool and kindergarten applicants, student visits usually take place with a small group of applicants and offer the opportunity for your child to interact in a classroom setting with other children. Some schools require children to separate from their parents while others (including many preschool/early childhood programs) do not. Admission staff will be sensitive to your child’s transition during the visit.

Students applying to older grades and middle school are often asked to visit with the current class during the school day.

Most ISSFBA schools will also conduct a developmental and/or an academic assessment as part of the admission process. Some schools may assess your child as part of the visit day while some may schedule a separate screening appointment, and others may schedule the assessment off-site.

Learn more about the costs of sending your child to an independent school.